Kristaps Porziņģis Day-to-Day With ‘Rare Injury’ Suffered in Finals Game 2

Patrick Andres | Jun 11, 2024

Jun 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) reacts after a play against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter in game two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden. / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

On the heels of some of the best basketball of his career, Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porziņģis has hit a roadblock.

Porziņģis has suffered a rare injury to a tendon in his left leg, the Celtics announced Tuesday afternoon. The unusual ailment has rendered him day-to-day with Game 3 of the NBA Finals between Boston and the Dallas Mavericks looming Wednesday.

Per the Celtics, Porziņģis was hurt with 3:27 remaining in the third quarter of Game 2—at which point Boston led the Mavericks 73-63.

The 2018 All-Star was diagnosed with a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon, per the Celtics. Notably, the tendon dislocation took place in the opposite leg to where Porziņģis suffered the calf injury that kept him out for over a month.

Breaking: Kristaps Porzingis is day-to-day with a tendon dislocation in his left leg. Celtics say it is a rare injury. pic.twitter.com/urgjV6ficb

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) June 11, 2024

Addressing reporters Tuesday, Boston coach Joe Mazzulla called the injury "serious."

Mazzulla on Kristaps: “It’s a serious injury. … We’ve taken the decision to play out of his hands.”

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) June 11, 2024

Thanks to Porziņģis—who erupted for 20 points in Game 1 and added 12 in Game 2—the Celtics sit two wins from their first NBA title since 2008.

Here he is talking about the injury on Tuesday:

Porzingis speaks about his injury/availability for Game 3. pic.twitter.com/2tbm5PgZPQ

— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) June 11, 2024